Caleb Olilo's Tactical Impact: The unsung hero of Posta Rangers

Posta Rangers have grown from strength to strength as the game weeks progress. Under the tutelage of Coach John Kamau, the tactical acumen of his technical bench in former MCF head coach and Kariobangi Sharks assistant Bernard Kawinzi and the leadership of Ken Owino who marshalls the backline has seen the side start the season unbeaten winning 4 games out of 5. Only a goalless draw against a stubborn Talanta side the dark mark on what is proving to be a stellar campaign so far.

However, for local football enthusiasts who make their way to the ground on every game, especially Posta Rangers matches, will have noted the presence of a stocky winger, with pace and trickery to burn. Caleb Olilo, popularly known as Calwes is emerging as the unsung hero in this Posta side. The main attacking threat through his directness. In this player performance tactical analysis piece I look to understand the role of Caleb Olilo and note his profile well.

As noted in a previous article, Posta Rangers majorly set up in a 1-4-2-3-1/ 1-4-4-1-1 hybrid thus far. The wingers look to provide width and allow late runners from deep in midfield to add to numbers in the box especially Wasambo who joins the attacks at will. In the Posta set up the centre forward majorly looks to make runs in behind and play off the shoulders of the attackers.

Defensively Posta's block is well structured than last season, their game against Kenya Police FC, a statement win, proved how resolute the block can be silencing the star studded side blessed with Kenneth Muguna,Tyson Otieno and Tito Okello to note just but a few of the embarrassing riches in attack they possess.

Posta look to stay compact and patient in their press and force the opposition wide into crosses that will be cut out. This is often more effective than looking to press due to Posta's aerial dominance.

In build up Posta have shown a clear bias in building towards the left side. This has paid off as they seem a lot more fluid and comfortable in the initial phases of play. The ball playing abilities of Titus Mutongoi, Wasambo and Curtis Wekesa the major catalyst in this.They look to create overload to isolate scenarios in these situations, isolation Olilo majorly.

Posta have also been much more lethal in transitions, and have punished teams a lot more consistently, due to the movement of Caleb Olilo, Curtis Wekesa and Jackson Macharia. There is a greater balance to the attacks too with the wingers working on positional and qualitative superiority to take on their men with Macharia moving into zones in whichever zone the designated forward does not occupy.

Olilo's profile

Coming through the ranks, Caleb Olilo has grown in strides, formerly an AFC Leopards player. At Posta Rangers, the forward plays on the right, where he looks to isolate his fullback and then beat them with his abundance flair or quick acceleration. From this situation he will look to hit the byline for cutbacks or low driven crosses . However at times his style can look to be one dimensional particularly when the opponent cut of his ability to hit the byline and force him inside.

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Posta Rangers have however managed to harness his strengths well, with their transition heavy approach. Caleb Olilo's ability to carry the ball and use his back to goal and on the half turn makes him more effective in this set up.

Olilo has a stocky frame and will often leverage his structure to his advantage by putting his hips between the defender and the ball to create separation and then accelerate away.

In possession, Posta have leveraged the strengths of Olilo well they look to draw out opposition fullbacks and have him running into the vacated spaces. Olilo is a willing runner and a player that is intelligent enough to attack these spaces.

In receiving the ball he can now mix up his attacks by driven finishes which will see him increase his attacking numbers, direct involvement ratio.

In conclusion, it has been a stellar start for Posta Rangers and Caleb Olilo, a player who we should all watch out for this season as he looks to improve on his already 3 assists for the mailmen.